Couch



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3,266,061 COUCH Robert E. Fuechsel, Box 189, Riverton, Wyo. Filed Nov. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 325,942 2 Claims. (Cl. 5-60) This invention relates generally to a couch, and more specifically to a couch for relaxing and reading.

Many people suffering from spinal `disorders causing back and neck ailments are unable to relax comfortably on a soft bed. Some cannot relax while lying on their back. While it would be possible for a person having such ailments to relax by lying on his stomach on a conventional couch, the head necessarily would be turned to one side or the other, resulting in a turning or twisting somewhat of the spinal column, which is undesirable in most instances. Further, while in this position, it is not easy to read or otherwise entertain oneself while attempting to relax.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a couch which is designed to conform to the body of a person lying face downwardly thereon.

It is another object of this invention to provide a couch which is designed to conform to the body of a person lying face downwardly thereon with means to permit reading, drinking, or other occupations while still maintaining substantial rigidity on the overall spinal column.

These and other objects of the invention may be accomplished according to one embodiment of the invention wherein a couch is provided having a cushioned surface designed to conform to the body of a person lying face downwardly thereon. The couch is provided with an opening positioned to receive the face of a person lying on' the couch. Straps may be provided in the opening to support the head of the person. The width of the table is decreased in the area where a persons shoulders would normally rest to permit a person to allow his arms to hang freely downwardly on each side of the couch without. interference.

Further, a table or rack is secured beneath the couch substantially below the opening in the couch and is adapted to support magazines or other reading material. Also a lamp may be secured beneath the table in a position to illuminate the reading table if so desired.

This embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the couch;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the couch;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view t-aken on line 5 5 of FIG. 3.

The couch includes a frame 12 formed of any suitable rigid material such as wood, plastic or metal. The frame 12 may be formed of a solid sheet of material, or an open mesh work of material having suicient strength to support safely the Weight of an average person.

The frame 12 is supported in a substantially horizontal position by a pair of front leg members -16 and a pair of rear leg members 18. Each rear leg member 18 is formed of a pair of tubular members 20 and 22 which are pivotal- 1y secured to the frame 12 by bifurcated brackets 21 and 23, respectively. A rod 24 is telescopically received in the tubular member 20 and a similar rod 26 is telescopic-ally received in the tubular member 22. The rods 24 and 26 are secured pivotally to an axle 28 which extends between the pair of rea-r leg members 18. A wheel 30 is rotatably supported on each end of the axle 28, in the illustrated embodiment.

With this construction, the length of the leg members 18 may be varied by sliding the rods 24 and 26 into or out of the tubular members 20 and 22. Lock means 32,

such as set screws or other suitable means; may be provided on each tubular member 20 and 22 to maintain the rods 24 `and 26 in a desired position relative to the respective tubular member.

The front leg members 16 are formed in a similar manner. Each front leg member 16 comprises a tubular member 34 secured rigidly to the frame 12, at 35, in any suitable manner. The tubular member 34 telescopically receives a rod 36 which is secured to ari-axle 38. The axle 38 extends between the two front leg members 16 and is provided with a wheel 40 mounted on each end thereof. Lock means 42, such as set screws, are provided on each tubular member 34 to maintain the rods 36 in a desired position relative to the tubular members.

The wheels 30 and 40 provide for easy mobility of the couch; however, they may be omitted, if so desired.

By providing adjustability of the length of the front leg members 16 and the rear leg members 18, the frame 12 may be positioned at various heights above the floor. The frame 12 may also be tilted from the horizontal by adjusting one pair of leg members to a different length than the other pair.

The frame 12 of the couch 10 is covered with a cushion 44 formed of foam rubber or any other suitable material. The supporting surface of the cushion is contoured to conform substantially to the body of the person lying face downwardly on the cou-ch 10. The thickness of the cushion is increased at 46 to t the area of a persons ankles and decreases from 46 to the rear end of the frame 12. The thickness of the cushion is decreased from 46 gradually to the area of the main torso portion. The cushion 44 is of uniform thickness in the area where the main torso of a person would be supported, and then is increased again as indicated at 48 in the area where a persons shoulders normally Would be positioned. The positions of the portions indicated as 46 and 48 are such as to accommodate a person of average height. It is proposed to provide couches of various lengths to accommodate people who are shorter or taller than average. The width of the frame 12 and the cushion 44 is decreased at 48 to permit a persons arms to hang freely therefrom.

An opening 50 is provided adjacent the forward end of the couch 10 in the frame 12 and in the cushion 44 to receive the face of a person lying on the couch. A pair of straps 52 may be provided, extending across the opening 50 adjacent either end thereof to aid in supporting a persons head, if so desired. Springs 53 secured to the ends of the straps 52 connect the straps resiliently to the frame 12. The straps 52 would be positioned to support the chin and forehead portions vof a persons head without obstructing the mouth, nose or eyes.

A table 56 is provided beneath the opening 50 and is releasably connected to the front leg ymembers of the couch. The table 56 is formed of a rectangular sheet 57 of rigid material such as wood, plastic or metal. A pair of clamps 58 are secured to opposite corners of the sheet 57 adjacent one edge thereof to connect the table to the front leg members 16. The clamps 58, in the illustrated form, consist of U-shaped strips of resilient material adapted to engage tubular members 34 of the front leg members 16. A bolt 59 extends through the ends of each clamp 58 and a Wing nut 60 is provided to fasten the clamp in a desired position.

Also, the clamps 58 may be released from the tubular members so the table 56 may be moved to a position adjacent the bottom of the couch 10 when the table is not to be used.

A further support is provided at the opposite edge of the table comprising a rod 62 pivotally connected at one end thereof to the frame 12. The rod 62 extends downwardly therefrom adjacent the table 56. A cylindrical member 64 is pivotally secured to the edge of the table 56 substantially midway thereof. The cylindrical member 64 slidably engages the rod 62 and is provided with a lock screw 66 to maintain the cylindrical member in any desired position relative to the rod. In this manner, the table 56 and the cylinder 64 may be slid along the length of the rod 62 and also rotated about the rod when the table is released from the front leg members 16.

If the table 56 is not to be used, the clamps 58 are released from the front leg members 16 and the lock screw 66 is loosened. The table 56 and the cylindrical member 64 are then rotated about the rod 62 through an arc of substantially 180. The table 56 may then be moved and the rod 62 pivoted upwardly adjacent the bottom of the frame 12, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 3. A pair of resilient clamps 68 secured to the frame 12 will hold the table in this position.

Also a reading lamp 70 may be provided secured to the 'bottom of the frame 12 by any suitable means, if so desired.

In this manner, a person may lie face downwardly on the couch and read comfortably while in this position.

Arm supports 72 and 73 may be provided to support the arms in a position somewhat below the level of the couch. The arm rests 72 and 73 are identical and it will therefore sui'lce to describe only one. The arm rest 72 is formed of a rod 74 secured to the bottom of the frame 12 by a suitable ball and socket joint 76. The other end of the rod 74 is connected to a further rod 78 also by means of a ball and socket joint 80. A padded arm rest 82 is provided on the rod 78 and is secured thereto by a further ball and socket joint 84. In this manner the arm supports 72 and 73 may be positioned in su'bstantially any position relative to the couch and the table 56.

It will thus be understood that the present invention provides a relaxing and reading couch to relieve the strain of persons sulering from back, neck, and spinal column discomfort by providing a couch covered by a cushion designed to conform to a persons body lying face downwardly thereon, while at the same time permitting read-y ing, drinking, or other occupations, and still maintaining rigidity on the overall spinal column.

The present invention permits the head or face to be positioned in an opening in the couch and to be supported by either padding or straps, thereby avoiding the necessity of turning the head or back to one side or the other as is the case on a conventional couch. The couch is designed to permit the arms to hang free from the couch in such a position to avoid interference of proper circulation. Further, arm supports may be provided to support the arms in a bent position, permitting access to the reading material supported on a reading table.

While the invention has 'been described and illustrated in a certain embodiment, it is realized that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention as described in the claims.

I claim:

1. A couch comprising an elongate frame, said frame including a flat rigid support surface, a pair of front leg members and a pair of rear leg members for supporting said frame in a substantially horizontal position, said frame having an Iopening adjacent the front leg members, a cushion attached to and covering substantially the support surface of said frame, said cushion providing a planar surface adapted to conform to the contour of the body of a person lying face downwardly thereon with the yface of the person positioned in the opening of said frame, a pair of straps extending across said opening, a table connected to said front leg members, said table being positioned below said lopening and adapted to support reading material thereon, said reading table 'being removably secured to said front leg members and being adapted to be moved to a position beneath said couch away fromsaid opening and means for maintaining said table in said position, said elongate frame having inwardly curved side edges to permit the arms of a person lying on said table to hang downwardly therefrom without interference by the frame and adjustable arm supports extending from said frame.

2. A couch comprising an elongate frame, said frame including a at rigid support Surface, a pair of front leg members and a 4pair of rear leg members for supporting said frame in a substantially horizontal position, said leg members being adjustable to vary the height of the couch, said frame having an opening adjacent the front leg members, a cushion attached to and covering substantially the support surface of said frame, said cushion providing a planar surface adapted to conform to the contour of the body of a person lying face downwardly thereon with the face of the person positioned in the opening of said frame, a table connected to said front leg members, said table being positioned below said opening and adapted to support reading material thereon, said reading table being removably secured to said front leg members and being adapted to Ibe moved to a position beneath said couchv away from said opening and means for maintaining said table in said position, said elongate frame having inwardly curved side edges to permit the arms of a person lying on said table to hang downwardly therefrom without interference by the frame, and adjustable arm supports extending from said frame, and a light secured to said surface in position to illuminate said table.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 552,672 1/1896 Souney et al. 5-61 1,968,120 7/1934 Barghausen et al. 5-327. 2,673,988 4/ 1954 Myre `5-317 3,180,682 4/ 1965 Paulen 297,-377

FOREIGN PATENTS 359,837 3/ 1962 Switzerland.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

C. A. NUNBERG, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A COUCH COMPRISING AN ELONGATE FRAME, SAID FRAME INCLUDING A FLAT RIGID SUPPORT SURFACE, A PAIR OF FRONT LEG MEMBERS AND A PAIR OF REAR LEG MEMBERS FOR SUPPORTING SAID FRAME IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION, SAID FRAME HAVING AN OPENING ADJACENT THE FRONT LEG MEMBERS, A CUSHION ATTACHED TO AND COVERING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SUPPORT SURFACE OF SAID FRAME, SAID CUSHION PROVIDING A PLANAR SURFACE ADAPTED TO CONFORM TO THE CONTOUR OF THE BODY OF A PERSON LYING FACE DOWNWARDLY THEREON WITH THE FACE OF THE PERSON POSITIONED IN THE OPENING OF SAID FRAME, A PAIR OF STRAPS EXTENDING ACROSS SAID OPENING, A TABLE CONNECTED TO SAID FRONT LEG MEMBERS, SAID TABLE BEING POSITIONED BELOW SAID OPENING AND ADAPTED TO SUPPORT READING MATERIAL THEREON, SAID READING TABLE BEING REMOVALBY SECURED TO SAID FRONT LEG MEMBERS AND BEING ADAPTED TO BE MOVED TO A POSITION BENEATH SAID COUCH AWAY FROM SAID OPENING AND MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAID TABLE IN SAID POSITION, SAID ELONGATE FRAME HAVING INWARDLY CURVED SIDE EDGES TO PERMIT THE ARMS OF A PERSON LYING ON SAID TABLE TO HANG DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM WITHOUT INTERFERENCE BY THE FRAME AND ADJUSTABLE ARM SUPPORTS EXTENDING FROM SAID FRAME. 